Philip makqua



(No Model.)

P. MARQUA.

BALL TRAPJ Patented Mar. 3, 1885.

In ventar UNrrao STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP MABQUA, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN CLAY BIRDCOMPANY.

BALL-TRA P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 313,220, dated March 3,1885.

Application filed May 13, 1884. (No model To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, PHILIP IVIARQUA, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cincinnati, Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Traps for Projecting Flying Targets, of which the following is aspecification.

Myinvention relates to sending apparatus or traps for projecting flyingtargets, its object being to improve'their construction and efficiencywith reference more particularly to the sending of tongueless claypigeons, and it consists in the devices hereinafter described, embodyinga target carrier pivoted-to the main sending-arm and holding andreleasing mechanism adapted to project the target by a sudden rotaryimpulse.

In the drawings herewith, showing a form of mechanism embodying myinvention, Figure 1 is a vertical partly sectional elevation of thetarget-carrierand holding and releasing mechanism; Fig. 2, a plan viewof the same; Fig. 3, a plan and edge View of the adjustablepivot-thimble; Fig. 4:, a partial plan view of the main sending-arm, andFig. 5 a similar view of aslight modification of the same, showing meansof adjusting the thimble; Fig. 6, a

slightly-modified construction of the targetholding lever.

Referring to the drawings, Adesignates the main sendingarm of the trap;B, the pivotal target carrier; 0, the target, a saucershaped shell offragile material, usually of clay; and D, the holding and releasing arm.

The trap proper (not shown in the drawings) may be of any approvedconstruction, provided with a sending-arm, A, arranged to beforciblyswung upon a central pivot by springs or otherwise. To this armI attachaplate, B, independently pivoted to the outer end of the arm A,forming an extension of the same when in its extreme position, andswinging in the same plane. The carrier or plate B is preferably anapproximately triangular piece of sheet metal, mounted at its apex uponapivot, P, by which it is secured upon the main sending-arm A andpermitted to rotate. The pivot extends above the plate B in two lugs, 12p, between which, centrally above the plate, is pivoted the holding andreleasing arm D. A The latter is extended rearward intoamanipulating-handle, d, for a purpose hereinafter described, andforward into an arm, d, bent upward to rest upon the edge of the target,(when the latter isplaced upon the carrier, as shown,) and is preferablybifurcated into curved extremities d (1", corresponding with the arc ofthe target. These extremities are provided with rubber coverings c c,which preserve the target from breakage, and form a secure holding forthe same; but the bifurcation may be omitted and the end of the arm d beprovided with a rubber pad, 0, as shown in Fig. 6.

The pivot P rotates within a thimble, T, terminating above in a lateralflange, t, having at one side upon its surface a raised tripping-block,t, the thimble T being adjustable in its holding-socket within the arm Ato bring the tripping-block t to any desired point, as hereinafterexplained. The pivot P extends below the thimble, and is provided with anut, n, securing the parts together. The arm A 1s bifurcated beyond thepivot-socket, and furnished with a thumb-screw, s, by which thev ends aa may be drawn together, and the thimble T thus clamped and heldsecurely in its ultimate positions. Instead of the latter construction,however, the bifurcation of the arm may be omitted and a worm-screw, S,inserted through the end of the arm in such relation to the externalperiphery of the thimble as to engage it by the usual ratchet-teeth, andthus form a holding and rotating device at the same time, as shown inFig. 5.

The holding and releasing arm D isprovided at the rear of its pivot witha spring, 8', resting beneath it in a suitable holding-socket upon theplate B, and acting upon the arm above through a set-screw, e, bywhichitstension is regulated, thereby adjusting the pressure of theopposite extremity,d,of the arm D upon the target.

Immediately in front of the pivot 1? another set-screw, f, is insertedthrough the arm D, preferably provided with a clamp-nut, f, and extendsdownward through an aperturein the plate B, and forms the abutment orfinger, which in the rotation of the carrier strikes the tripping-blockt and raises the forward end of the holding-arm D, releasing the target.

The operation is as follows: The target 0 being placed in position uponthe carrier B, (stops 9 9 being preferably provided upon the plate forthe purpose,) is admitted under the holding-rubbers c or c by depressingthe rear end of the handle (1 against the force of the spring 8'. lihecarrier is then preferably rcversed in relation to the main sending-arm.The sending-arm A being set off, the carrier will be independentlyrotated by centrifugal force into a position extending the main armlongitudinally, and in thus rotating the tripping-screwf is brought incontact with the tripping-block t and the target released. The relativemoment of release will depend, of conrse,npon the adjustment of thethimble P, and may easily be determined by experiment.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patcut- 1. In a trap or sendingapparatus for flying targets, in combinationwith a main pivotedsendingarm, a supplemental pivoted targetcarrier,B,provided with apivoted holding and releasing arm, D, the latter provided with anadjustable spring, 8, and a tripping-finger,f, constructed and arrangedsubstantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a target-sending apparatus, in combination with asupplementalpivoted carrier and spring-actuated holding-arm provided with atripping-finger, an adjustable thimble, T, having a tripping-block,t,\vhich by means of such adjustment is brought into proper relationwith the carrier, as and for the purpose set forth. Y

3. In a target-sending apparatus employing a main spring-impelledsending-arm, a supplemental target-carrier,B, pivoted thereto, incombination with a pivoted arm, D, constructed with a front extension,(1, arranged to rest upon and hold the target to the carrier bypressure, and a rear extension, d, forming a manipulating-handle forelevating the catch to adjust the target in position, and means,substantially as described, for the automatic release of the catch inthe movement of the main sending-arm, substantially as set forth.

4. In atarget-sendiug apparatus, in combination with the sending-arm A,and the supplemental pivoted carrier B, a spring-catch or holding-arm D,provided with a rubber pad, 0, arranged to rest upon the target andretain the same upon the carrier, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

PHILIP MARQUA. [L. s]

\Vitnesses:

L. M. HOSEA, O. SHAPPELL.

